2017.12.18 Boys Basketball: Riverside @ Park View

Sterling, VA (December 18, 2017) – With school out for the winter holidays, the Park View Patriots and Riverside Rams met for an afternoon and evening of basketball with five games in total and varsity girls and boys games capping off the day.

In the boys game, the visiting Rams came in with a solid if unflashy season record of 3-3. The Patriots, however, had been struggling. Their 1-5 record included a current losing streak of those five games.

And it looked like the struggles were going to continue as they fell into an 8-0 hole almost immediately before scoring their first basket. By the end of the first quarter they had cut into that margin a little, but the Rams still held a solid edge at 15-9.

And then, almost imperceptibly, Park View began to claw their way back. Behind the indefatigable play of point guard Gabe Calalang and the strength of center Josh Shelton they gradually closed the gap to just two points as the second quarter ended.

The Rams kept the game even for the beginning of the third quarter, but the Patriot resurgence continued and by the time the quarter ended they had the lead for good, but just barely at 39-37.

It looked like it was going to be a taut contest with multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter, but the Patriots surged again to take a surprising double-digit lead.

As the final quarter began to wane, the usual fouling and free throws strategy began, and it paid off as the Rams closed the gap once more. But they would not have enough time left to regain the lead enabling Park View to begin the winter break on a high note.

Final score: Park View 61 - Riverside 56

Players who could be clearly identified by jersey number are listed in the links below. Additional photos of these and other players may be found by reviewing the full gallery.